There was intense interest yesterday at MI Community Care's new Centre - the old QCCU building in the Picnic Bay Mall - when it was time to draw the, $100 ticket, $10,000 raffle in which participants were limited to just 200 tickets.

Drawn by Island ambo Kerry Dillon the fund raiser will assist the vital Island organisation to continue its heavy work load looking after the Island's increasingly aged population with activities, support and lots more.

And the winners were: for the $10,000 first prize: Daryl Worthington and Pamela Hurst - thought to be from Townsville - who bought the ticket between them. Second prize of 3 nights accommodation at MI International for 2 or 3 people with breakfasts goes to Bells Bakery's Steve and Rose with the third prize, a barrow full of assorted wines, going to locals Ray Gill and Sylvia McDermott.

MICC Co-ordinator Brenda McCowen told Magnetic Times, "I rang the winners and they thought I was a prankster at first. I said, 'I don't know what I can do. Ring us back at the Centre - Im the Co-ordinator' then one said - 'Oh you are very good at it'"

Brenda said the $10,000 raised would be spent on the Island for the aged members of Community Care. She was keen to thank all involved in the successful fund raiser. In particular she wished to thank: Magnetic International, Benny Kalsgaard and all the wine donators as well as the wider Island community for being so supportive. Thanks and congratulations were also made to Dallas Foster who sold 24 individual tickets and John Patterson who sold 20.